Why Your Home Should Consider A Solar Panel System
Figure 1: Solar Panels Are Affordable [1][2][3]
How can you save money and reduce your impact on the environment at the same time?
Renewable Energy!
Renewable energy is a type of energy that can be utilized over and over again without using up its source. Solar power is a great example of renewable energy because the sun does not get depleted after many years of shining. The sun continues to send rays of energy to the earth the same today as it did 500 years ago. The ability to capture those rays would, in a sense, give us “free” energy!
Why should we care?
More “free” energy means less usage of non-renewable resources. Non-renewable resources, such as coal and natural gas, get used up irreversibly when they become a source of energy. Therefore, we only have a limited supply of these resources and they will become more expensive as the supply dwindles. More expensive resources means higher energy bills at the end of the month.
When you hook up to the local electrical grid, much of the electricity you get is derived from non-renewable resources. As you can see below, in Arizona, roughly two-thirds of the electricity is generated using coal and natural gas. [3]
Figure 2: Arizona Net Electricity Generation by Source, Energy Information Administration [3]
Not only does this mean that electricity bills will be higher in the long run, it also means an excessive amount of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This compound is commonly known to have adverse effects on the environment. It intensifies the greenhouse effect increasing global temperatures. This increased temperature has a negative effect on weather, polar ice caps, and sea level.
Therefore, we have proposed two major problems:
- Non-renewable energy cost is on the rise.
- Major source of electricity has a negative effect on climate change.
The Solution: Solar Panels!
Unfortunately, nothing is free; even renewable energy has costs associated with system components, installation, and maintenance. But while coal prices are on the rise, the cost of solar energy is dropping significantly. So not only are solar panels smart for the environment, but they also have a direct and immediate impact on the consumer. Solar panels are smart for your budget!
Increased Savings: After installing a solar panel system, you can enjoy up to 50% savings on your electric bill every month. [6] This gives you the extra money you need to buy those extra necessities, store up your retirement fund, or try out the new upscale restaurant that just opened up down the street.
Installment is Cheaper than Ever: It costs less now than ever before to buy and install a brand new solar panel system for your home. [5] In fact, prices are so low you can begin saving money immediately without paying a dime. Here’s how: Say you buy a system that will save you $50 a month. It is possible to get a loan for the system that costs you $40 a month. That means (without paying a single penny) you will immediately begin saving $10 a month.
Tax Breaks: After you purchase a solar panel system, you may be eligible to deduct up to 30% of the cost of that system from your taxes. [8] Again, at the end of the day, that is just more money in your pocket.